Walk Safe

Walking with your dog can be a great way to bond with them as well as getting exercise. However there can be some dangers related to the walk that you should be aware of. First off is safely handling the leash, make sure that the leash isn’t wrapped around your wrist or hand. If you do you could break the small bones if the dog would pull too hard or if they tangle you can’t always drop the leash quickly enough. Have the leash looped over your thumb once and then back and forth in your palm like an accordion, you’ll have strength but can switch the leash from hand to hand easily (see picture). Have treats that your dog just loves will also help for training opportunities or emergencies in an easy to get place (such as a treat pouch). 

Next watch what your dog is doing; are they going to trip you up or did they lock on a squirrel down the block. Being aware of them leaves you less likely to be caught off guard and getting hurt by them pulling on you or tripping you up. Training a great 'watch me' will help to disengage your dog from outside stimuli, such as that other dog barking in it's yard or a child playing (see picture below). In addition you can see if they will get hurt themselves like the grates over the sewers which can catch the dog’s toes or paws and lead to injuries. Or if they are picking up garbage on the walk; train a great 'leave it' and you won’t have to take gross items out of your dog’s mouth.

On top of watching your dog also be aware of your surroundings. I know it sounds easy but often we focus on one item and suddenly another dog is flying out of their yard to meet you. Or you see a car coming but miss the jogger coming up behind you. Being aware can save you from dangers around you and give you time to find other paths or have your dog do a different behavior to get through it. So if you notice a crowd of people walking towards you; you can make choices such as moving out of the path and doing a stay or making your dog heel closely.

Remembering basic weather issues, such as hot tarmac or salty sidewalks, and bringing poop bags will make it all the better. Have fun with your dogs and they will love you all the more! If you feel like you just don't have the training tools for a safe walk get in contact with our D.O.G. Trainer Josey and she can lead you to the easy path for you and your dog(s). Call 651-308-9399.

Pros and Cons of Kenneling and Housesitting

KENNEL SPACE:
Often people are surprised on how much it can cost to go on vacation without your furry friend(s). While boarding kennels start by looking cheaper you often have to upgrade for better accommodations and social time. Take an average kennel price of $25+, many times this is a concrete floor with chainlink fencing and may or may not be an indoor/outdoor kennel. If they have to be walked to their potty areas commonly it’s four times a day unless you pay for more let outs, or if they do have access to their potty areas you aren’t guaranteed that your dog will get social time with a human unless you again pay for more time. Now some of the more expensive kennels have much more accommodations that seem more home like, these are often in the $50+ per day and may have pools or spa areas but often these also still cost in addition to the daily fee. Plus if you have more than one dog these costs can almost double!

HOUSESITTING SPACE:
The best part is that they are in the space they know best, their own home. While most dogs are used to you being away from home during work times they live for the evenings when you can be there to let them out and give them one on one (or more) time. With our nightly rate we not only stay with them as you would, but we have let out during the day, most dogs love breaking up the day with play. We also don’t change prices for more than one dog or other pets; we will care for them all as you would if you could be there.

These two 'brothers' loved playing at home with all their own toys.

KENNEL COMFORTS:
Some places will allow you to bring some food from home and maybe some comforts like a blanket or toys, but many places prefer to use their own items to make cleaning and feeding more streamlined. This can put stress on your pet’s digestive system as they switch foods and frequently that leads to more issues when they have to switch back to their regular food back home. Some kennels will allow toys and blankets in their kennel area but if the dog is stressed these can become problems if they chew and swallow pieces or if other dogs get to the items from the sides.

HOUSESITTING COMFORTS: We use the same food, toys, beds and treats that you have picked out for them with care to each pet’s personality and needs. In addition to your pet(s) care we also take care of the house, such as bringing in the mail, watering the plants, putting out birdseed. This not only protects your home from someone thinking it’s easy picking for breaking in but also from natural crisis that could be caught quickly before more harm comes to the home. This saves you the stress of having to find a neighbor or friend to watch over your home while someone else also watches your pet, why not have it all done at the same time.

This pup loved using me as her bed, and I loved her snuggling.

KENNEL STRESSES:
While most kennels keep dogs separate for safety there is often a lot of stress in going to a new place and hearing all the others. Just think how often your dog is away from your home and then take away the security of you as well. If they don't have toys or blankets that smell like you this can also lead to stress of wondering what happened to you. These can lead to minor behavior issues such as barking, chewing, drooling and anorexia is some dogs while the stress is still there.

HOUSESITTING STRESSES:
While we try to make everything as if you were there we are still not you, and that can be somewhat stressful. Luckily with all the fun they will have and all the home comforts the stress is often little and easily forgotten.

This little pup loved to check out the windows to make sure no one was coming before taking a nap.

Helpful Dog's Tricks

Most people will train some obedience and manners into their dogs, and sometimes a cute trick or two. That is a great thing for a dog, but how about a trick that is useful for the home; even better.

There are many tricks out there, it’s about finding one that the dog can physically do and that you would like them to do. Personally I don’t want to teach my dogs to open the cabinets for me because I think they would get into trouble but closing them would be a good ‘trick’. This is really an easy trick as all you have to do is get them to target a nose touch or paw touch to the vertical surface of the cabinet.

You can also get your dog to put away their toys, you most likely have to back-chain this behavior by starting with dropping a toy in the box. After you get them to do that have them get a toy and bring it to the box to drop; lastly they have to find the toys to bring to the box. This would be broken into many steps but can be easily trained on a motivated dog.

You can also have your dog find your items, from car keys to tissues. Each item requires a cue and training on how to pick up and get to you (sometimes the box of tissues are better than one). Or if they don’t fetch well, perhaps just a marker of a point or bark that it’s right there. Most dogs love finding people, so start naming them and have your dog search for their favorite people and you can send messages on their collars or have them hold a note.

With any trick it doesn’t just have to be cute it can be useful too. Look up more online or check out what service dog do and see if you can get your dog to that high of a degree. Enjoy the little things inside that work your dog's mind as well as body!

Winter blues

Remember during the winter your dog still needs some stimulation to keep from getting on your nerves. These should be both exercise and mental actives to do with your dog during the cold season. If you still walk your dog outside, make sure to rinse their feet off when you come home, between the pads can collect ice or chemical salt and the pads can become dry too. If it’s cold for you it might be too cold to them, watch for winter warnings before long periods outside.

Mekos loves to shove his whole head in the snow to sniff.

If you don’t like walking outside and your dog likes fetch try playing up and down stairs in your home, this way the dog has to work harder to get that ball or toy and back to you. My dogs will also do tricks or obedience between each throw, so making your dog do something to get what they want is never a bad idea. Although they might be a little excited at first you can get them to think while they are excited that’s even better.

Play hide and seek with your dog by putting them on a stay and calling them once you’ve hidden in a different room, or if you have many people tell them to ‘find mommy’ or ‘find daddy’ and see if they can make it to the correct people. Remember to play or treat them once they found you so that they will be reinforced for the behavior.

Mekos's first winter, he loved to find anything buried in the snow.

I also like to train a hard trick that can be done inside. This can be something useful as ‘Put away your toys’ or as cute as ‘break dance’. Find a trick online and think of a way to break it down and make many simple steps that you can work on bit by bit before adding them all together. Remember though only try tricks that your dog is capable of doing; you can’t teach a cow to climb a tree nor can you expect your dog to open or pick up something they can’t lift.

Holiday Stress

Holidays are a wonderful time, but can be stressful for animals. Keeping your pet safe and calm will make for a better holiday for all.

·       Secure tree/ornaments; it’s easy for things get knocked down by a tail or a climbing pet. Add a heavy base, secure to the wall, or place a fence around it. All decorations should be pet safe (glass or food is a bad idea) and placed out of reach of pets.

·       It’s exciting when guests arrive, but often dangerous for the guests who might get knocked over or tripped, or the pets escaping. Set up a room just for your pet to keep him safe. Have water, beds and toys inside to make it fun, and they won't miss the party mess. Training your dog to stay in place back from the door is another great option if you only have a few guests.

·       Pets can bite into holiday light cords and often pets are attracted to candles. Burns or fires could result. Always watch a burning candle, use fake candles instead when possible, and place cords in pet safe conduit.

·       Make sure guests know your house rules for feeding your pets, and don’t let pets get into personal items such as medications or clothing.

·       Getting a new pet for the holiday is cute but stressful for pet and owners. Avoid the holiday stress and get an adoption kit for the holiday gift instead (toys, bowls, etc). Bring your new pet home when regular routines resume.

Sharing Treats with Your Dog

As we all love a little treat for ourselves often we pass it along to our pets to enjoy too. Some people cringe at a pet getting ‘human’ food, but really some can be a great and healthy treat, often better then the sugar filled store bought treats. Not that every dog will like all of the types that I will mention but why not give it a try.

This guy shares an apple and banana daily with his brother

Veggies- Many veggies can be very healthy for dogs, fresh, canned, cooked and dehydrated. Carrots, pumpkin (cooked), potatoes (cooked), broccoli, and green beans to name a few that dogs often like to eat. Avoid corn, onions, garlic and mushrooms as these can be dangerous or cause allergies.

Fruit- Lots of fruits can also bring nutrients to the table, both in raw, cooked or dehydrated. Apples, bananas, blueberries, strawberries, oranges are some fun fruits to share. Never let your pet eat the seeds or pits of the fruits and grapes are poisonous to dogs and cats.

 Dairy- often too much can lead to stomach problems so only use small amounts, but my dogs love a little cube of cheese. These can also be high in fat  and salt so only as a special treats.

Meats- Dogs love meat, but make sure you find low fat cuts and use small amounts so that they don’t gain weight. Check for sodium (or salt) and try to keep it to a minim. Raw meat can be great but make sure the dogs can handle it and cooked chicken and pork bones should never be given because they splinter. Eggs raw are harmful but cooked can be good, just watch for allergies.

Nuts- Peanut butter is a fun treat to add to many toys to get the dog to play, be careful of allergies both in humans around the dog as well as the dog. Almonds and peanut butter can also be high calorie so give small amounts or check for low fat and salt free. Never give macadamia nuts, as they are toxic to dogs.

Lastly never give your dog chocolate or coffee, it’s the caffeine that affects your pets and they can get sick for days. No xylitol (a sweetener) or fluoride as both can be toxic, otherwise have fun with sharing food, but make them work for it and away from your snacking areas unless you like an audience when you eat.

Groom Easy

Do you often hear from your groomer that your dog is matted and when you try to comb your dog at home they fight, bite or run. Read on and it will help not only you, but your dog and groomer as well.  This also works for shedding dogs that don’t like to get brushed but instead of a comb use an appropriate brush for their coat.

Duncan in need of a grooming.

Start with a freshly groomed dog with no mats, often this means that you’ll have a dog that was just shaved down, remember that it grows back quickly enough. Get a metal tooth comb and some great treat that they never had before (think dehydrated fish). Now you need to gauge at what point your dog is slightly worried about the comb but not fearful, this might be just showing the comb while restrained slightly.

Mekos getting groomed, notice he's slightly uneasy but not in a panic.

Once you have your start point do the motion (showing the comb), then give a treat and release the dog. What you want to happen is to pair the comb with happy thoughts of food, so when you do get to comb the hair the dog will enjoy the experience. When you start seeing happy responses when the dog sees the comb then work your way to the next worry point, such as putting the comb on the back hair. Repeat each step remembering to do the movement then the treat, never at the same time or the treat before the combing as this doesn’t lead to long-term training.

This lovely was so good for brushing with just a little work at home!

As you get your dog more and more used to the comb at the same time you are combing the dog out daily in small areas so that no mats arise. This is the big secret to keeping your dog mat free. Spend a little time combing them at least weekly if not more often while you are even watching TV. This will help you bond, get the oils from the skin to the coat for less smell and help achieve the look you want for your pet’s haircut with a mat free coat.

For more information or for help achieving your goals please contact Dog Obedience & Guidance Training or D-O-G-Training.net.